FIFA award
©IMAGO
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was named World Player of the Year at a FIFA gala dinner in Doha on Tuesday evening. The Brazilian follows Lionel Messi, who was also nominated and who has triumphed in the last two years. He also beat Spanish European champion Rodri from Manchester City, who won the Ballon d’Or, which caused a lot of anger for Vinicius Junior and the Royals.
“It seemed impossible for me to get here on this stage. I come from a small town, close to poverty and crime. Now I’m here,” said Vinicius Junior, who won with 48 points ahead of Rodri (43) and his teammate Jude Bellingham (37). FIFA only announced the timing of the award, which took place on the eve of the Intercontinental Cup between Real Madrid and CF Pachuca, at short notice.
Also in the running for the award, which FIFA calls “The Best” across the board, were national player Florian Wirtz and former DFB star Toni Kroos, who, together with his former teammate Antonio Rüdiger, is in the top eleven of the year. “This makes the last successful year even more special,” said Kroos in a video message. Argentina’s supporter Emiliano Martínez was named the best goalkeeper.
Real’s Carlo Ancelotti won the election for the best coach of a men’s team. Leverkusen’s double winner Xabi Alonso was left behind against the Champions League winning coach.
The choice of the Ballon d’Or caused great displeasure among Real and Vinicius Junior
In October, the choice of the Ballon d’Or caused great displeasure at Real. The club stayed away from the ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris after it was leaked that no Real player would receive the coveted trophy.
Even there, Vinicius Junior was the big favorite to win. With Real he had at least won the championship and the premier class. But the star striker, who has been the victim of racism several times in Spain, is not without controversy. His penchant for theatrics also provokes criticism.
Different regulations than the Ballon d’Or
FIFA has been honoring world footballers since 1991, and the only German winner in the same year was Lothar Matthäus, who this time presented the team of the year. Between 2010 and 2015, FIFA entered into a cooperation with the Amaury Group, during which time the world footballer prize was awarded as the “FIFA Ballon d’Or”. Since then there have been two prizes for the best footballer.
The regulations for the FIFA election are different than for the Ballon d’Or, which only journalists decide on. FIFA voted for national coaches, national team captains, journalists and fans around the world. Voting was possible until December 10th.
